TALK IT UP TUESDAY: Kyle Layton

0 Aug. 16, 2016, 7:50 p.m.

By Joe Adragna
LiveRC.com

Welcome to LiveRC's weekly column, "Talk-It-Up Tuesday!" Here we spend a little time talking with industry icons including racers, manufacturers, team managers, developers, promoters, and everyone in between! Sit back, relax, and go behind the scenes as we interview them all!

Like many people across the country, I've always had a love for spec racing. Today, I sat down with the newly crowned ROAR National Champion of the 17.5 buggy class; Kyle Layton. We talk about his car, life, and of course the pressure he endured before becoming the Champ!

Joe Adragna: So how does it feel to be a ROAR National champion? Has it set in yet?

Kyle Layton: It feels great knowing my hard work has paid off. It good knowing I got the title but I don't think it has fully sank in yet. Maybe once I catch up on rest. Haha

Joe Adragna: So tell me about yourself, what's your racing background like and how long have you been racing?

Kyle Layton: Well I'm 19, been racing rc cars at the track for just over 4 years now. Started with a Traxxas slash and got hooked after that. My local track is Speedworld (onroad) and LSR (offroad) but I now go to Track Time Hobbies alot as well as the dirt there is awesome.

Joe Adragna: So going into Nationals, did you feel like you had a shot to win? What was your mentality like before the race?

Kyle Layton: I was pretty confident as I have been running at the front of the pack locally. I had placed 2nd last year in buggy so I knew I had a shot at it. I just went in relaxed. Got my practice time in, and ran my normal program of prep and car setup. Didn't stress about it. People asked me if I was nervous going and I said no, just going to do my best.

Joe Adragna: I know you also dominated at the last race held at Amain's Outback Raceway, did that also give you confidence going into nationals?

Kyle Layton: I guess so. But I had been to that race before and knew what to expect. So I still wasn't sure how the track and all would be at nationals. But it definitely gave me some momentum I guess.

Joe Adragna: That's nice to hear. So tell me about your car setup, electronics and motor wise. I know this is always one of the most asked questions in 17.5, is your setup all off-the-shelf items?

Kyle Layton: Thanks, so I ran the b6d with laydown conversion. I ran the full Team Powers setup. Primus shorty servo, 5200mah battery, Radon Pro V2 ESC, and Actinium motor. Anyone can go buy what I was running.

Joe Adragna: So what's in the future for you at this point? Will you move to the modified class, or continue on in the spec class?

Kyle Layton: I am going to keep traveling and racing and also getting in 8th scale. But, I am going to make the transition soon. I however am running stock buggy at OCRC's Surf City as I already signed up. Club racing I will run a mixture of both as both aren't always offered locally. Also running mod sct at surf city.

Joe Adragna: What do you do for fun other than race r/c?

Kyle Layton: Hangout with family and mountain biking.

Joe Adragna: Favorite TV show?

Kyle Layton: Haha I hardly ever watch TV! Uh, walking dead probably

Joe Adragna: I think we've covered everything! Congratulations on your win, who would you like to thank for helping you?

Kyle Layton: Thank you! Well, the biggest thanks goes to everyone involved at Team Powers for everything they have done for me over the past couple years. Also to all my friends who keep racing fun!! And of course my other sponsors, Team Associated, Jconcepts, Cheater Racing, RC Promask, and AMain.com.